Rugby: Four-week ban for Savea

Hurricanes openside flanker Ardie Savea has been suspended
for four weeks for his lifting tackle on Chiefs halfback
Augustine Pulu in the pre-season match at Mangatainoka on
Saturday.

In his decision today, judicial officer Nigel Hampton QC said
the tackle was clumsy with elements of recklessness. Savea's
poor technique contributed to the dangerous nature of the
tackle as he lost control, posing potential risk of injury to
Pulu's neck or head.

Hampton said 19-year-old Savea was a young player with a
clean disciplinary record.

"The player has acknowledged the tackle was poorly executed
and I have considered his early admission of fault as being
in his favour," Hampton said.

"I deem the tackle to be in the mid-range of seriousness.
Taking into account all the mitigating factors, and this
young man's impressive character and conduct through this
process, I have decided a sanction of no less than four weeks
is appropriate," he said.

Savea is suspended from all forms of rugby up to and
including Saturday March 16. He is unavailable for the
Hurricanes' matches against the Blues in Wellington this
Saturday, the Reds in Brisbane on March 1, the Crusaders in
Wellington on March 8, and the Highlanders in Dunedin on
March 15.